Refrigerator



June 14, 1932. s; c. BOHN REFRIGERATOR Fi led Feb. 10, 1930 INVENTOR hard C. B 72 11 Gel IIIIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIII Patented June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE GEBHARD C. IBOH'N, 01 ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA REFRIGERATOR Application filed February 10, 1980. Serial No. 427,159.

My invention relates to improvements in that type of refrigerators wherein the refrigerator body and refrigerator doors are covered by a metallic sheathing and have a simi- 5 lar lining, the sheathing being preferably of an enameled, or analogous, character, subject to chipping.

I have found in constructing this type of refrigerator and in connecting the lining and in sheathing sheets by interposed or overlapping wood, fibre, or metallic members, that certain disadvantages exist in such constructions.

Where wood or analogous material is used, moisture becomes absorbed in the opening and closing of the refrigerator. There also exists the objectionable absorption of odors and gases affecting the sanitary qualities of the refrigerator. Where metal or analogous material is used between the inner and outer.

'7 sheets, there is the objection of conductivity of cold and heat. Further, all of the materials referred to are of an unyielding nature, and this characteristic of the member makes it diflicult to secure a tight, sanitary joint, as

' the materials will not bend to fit irregularities in the foundation, etc.

I have, therefore, after a reat deal of experimentation to overcome t e difliculties referred to, developed the resent invention, wherein I use a strip of ru ber-like character to form the connection between the inner lining and outer sheathing, which, on account of its yielding and elastic character, will conform to irregularities in the foundation, will contact with an enameled surface without chipping the same, and is not aifected by any gas resultin from the artificial refrigeration.

These and other features of my invention will .be more fully set forth in the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through a section of a refrigerator body and door embodyin my features of invention.

%igure 2 is a view in elevation of a portion of a door embodying my invention; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the door edge.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A represents the refrigerator body, and 2 represents plates, preferably enameled, forming an exterior sheathing or covering for said body. 3 represents an interior lining plate for the body, also preferably enameled. The door B is likewise exteriorly covered by a similar sheathing plate 4 and an interior lining plate 5. The edges of the lining and sheathing plates for the door opening are, as shown, angled inwardly over the edge of the door opening, the inwardly angled edges of the sheathing and lining being connected by a strip 6 of rubber-like material secured in position as by nails 7, said strip being held at an angle with the body of the refrigerator by the beveled piece 8 behind the rubber strip.

In constructing the door, the interior lining, as shown, is turned inwardly over the interior edge of the door framework, and the outer edge of the door is formed with a projecting flange 9, which flange is covered by an angled metal strip 10. The outer covering plate for the door is formed at its edge with a curve upwardly and toward the angled plate 10, leaving a space between the edge of the door sheathing and the angled plate to permit the flange of a gasket 11 to be gripped between the edge of the sheathing and angled plate.

'A strip of rubber-like material is secured upon the beveled face of the door, as by screws 13, to overlap the lining plate 5 at one edge and to contact with the angled metal plate 10 at its other edge. As will be seen, the inclined faces of the door opening and door edge diverge so as to hold the strips upon the door opening and door edge spaced apart, the only closing contact between the door and refrigerator body being the contacting of the overlapping edge of the door with the exterior body sheathing, as through the gasket. The door corners are preferably, as shown in 0 Figure 2, covered by angled strips 14, which may be of metal secured in position as by screws or nails 15, and forming a connection between the strips; and the corners of the door opening are preferably covered by corresponding angled strips. By constructing the strips 6 and 12 of elastic material, as rubber, an elastic and yielding contact is secured with the adjacent metal plates, both to secure a tight, yielding contact and prevent injury to the enameled surface of the plates. Also, the rubber characteristics of the strips will cause them toyield or flex over any inequalities in the foundation to bring about tight contact with the plates. The rubber strips are not affected by the gases that may arise from the food or from artificial refrigeration taking place and are not conductive of either heat or cold. By means of my improvement shown, I am enabled to secure a most perfect type of sanitary joint in co-operation with a metal lined and sheathed refrigerator protecting contained food to'the maximum degree, and to entirely overcome the objections that exist to wood, fibre, or metal parts interposed between the interior metal lining and outer metal sheathing.

I claim:

1. A refrigerator comprising a. body formed with a door opening, enameled sheathing and lining plates for the interior and exterior surface of said body, rubber strips contactingly connecting the lining and sheathing plates of said door body, a door fitted into said door opening, enameled sheathing and lining plates for said door, a metal member secured around the outer door edge and forming a receiving space between it and the adjacent edge of the door sheathing to hold a gasket and a rubber strip contactingly connecting the inner lining of the door with the outer sheathing through said metal member in the outer edge of the door.

2. A refrigerator comprising a body portion formed with a door opening, metal lining plates for the interior and exterior surface of the body, rubber-like, elastic strips contactingly connecting said lining and sheathing plates, a door fitted in said door opening, and at its outer edge overlapping the body of the refrigerator, metal lining and sheathing plates for said door, a gasket supported in gripped position between the outer sheathing plate and door to contact with the portion of said door lining member to cover the edges of said door.

4. A refrigerator comprising a body having a door opening therein, lining and sheathing plates covering the interior and exterior surfaces of said body and bent into said door opening, hard surfaced resilient lining strips covering the inner edge of said door opening and overlying said inturned portions, a door adapted to fit into said door opening and having a surrounding flange adapted to overlie said body portion beyond said door opening, hard surfaced resilient strips surrounding, the edge of said door opening spaced inwardly from said strips, lining said door opening, and a resilient strip interlockingly engaged by said inturned marginal flange to be positioned on the inner surface thereof to engage said body portion around said door opening upon closing of said door to form a compressible seal therewith.

5. In a refrigerator, a refrigerator body having a door opening therein, a door having a frame, a flange surrounding the outer edge of said frame, an angular, sheet metal sheathing covering the inner surface of said flange, a sheathing member having an inturned marginal flange adapted to receive said frame therein and to be coextensive with said frame flange, and a resilient sealing member having interlocking engagement with said inturned marginal flange to be positioned between said fiange and said body to form a compressible seal around said door opening.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEBHARD C. BOHN.

sheathing plate of the body, and a rubberlike, elastic strip contacting between the lining and sheathing plates of the door, the door opening and deer edge being constructed to hold the rubber-like strips upon the door opening and door edge out of contact when the door is closed.

3. A refrigerator, comprising a body formed with a door opening, metal lining and sheathing plates for the interior and exterior surfaces thereof, said lining and sheathing plates being bent into the door opening, hard surfaced resilient strips positioned to overlie the bent edges of said lining and sheathing plates to cover the inner surface of the door opening, a door adapted to close said door opening, said door having lining and sheathing plates, the sheathing plate hav- 

